Wike Inaugurates 2 Committees To Tackle Land Use Violations, River Park Estate Dispute

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated two strategic committees aimed at addressing lingering land-related disputes and violations of the Abuja Master Plan.

Inaugurating the Committees in Abuja, Wike urged the committees to operate with strict professionalism, free from any external or internal influence.

The first committee, on the Review of Issues Bedevilling River Park Estate, is tasked with investigating alleged breaches of agreements between the government and developers.

According to Wike, instances where letters of intent and memoranda of understanding for mass housing projects were violated will be examined.

He also said that the committees have two weeks to submit its recommendations, with no extension of time allowed.

“We found out in most cases these clauses or these agreements have been violated. And so this committee is to look into the issues that are to do with River Park Estate and advise the government the necessary steps to take in order to correct some of these anomalies. And the assignment must be concluded in two weeks time.

“I don’t want to hear any issue of influence from outside or within the FCTA. If any department obstructs your work, report immediately,” Wike warned, noting that any acts of interference, particularly from the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) or the Lands Department, would attract consequences.

The second committee, on the Review of Land Uses/Purpose Clauses of Land and Properties Overtaken by Commercial and Other Activities, is mandated to identify and address violations of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) across the city.

Wike lamented that several properties allocated for residential purposes had been illegally converted to commercial use without government approval.

“This is very important to us. Where there are violations of the C of O Act, we will not hesitate to order outright revocation,” the minister stated.

He directed the committee to focus on prime districts such as the Central Business Area, Maitama, Asokoro, and Garki, identifying offending properties and recommending corrective actions to restore compliance with the city’s land-use guidelines.

The Committee on the Review of Issues Bedevilling River Park Estate is chaired by the General Counsel/Secretary, Legal Service Secretariat, with members including the Senior Special Assistant (Lands & Urban and Regional Planning), Deputy Director Lands, and Directors of Security, Development Control, and AGIS, as well as a Legal Services Secretariat representative as secretary.

The Committee on the Review of Land Uses/Purpose Clauses is chaired by the Director of Development Control, with members drawn from Land Administration, Surveying and Mapping, AGIS, Engineering Services, and Urban and Regional Planning.

Both committees were inaugurated on August 8, 2025, at noon, with Wike reiterating his administration’s resolve to enforce the Abuja Master Plan and curb land-use abuses in the FCT.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji